The Silencing of Mika Brzezinski

I didn't follow the Joe Show back at the time you cite it. I do watch it when I can now. I have just published and article that was generated by the Wright speech and in part to Mika's obvious willingness to listen and learn. I have long held her to be one of my favorites and she is rapidly becoming so much more than a talking head. Thanks for this article and I will confirm your admiration of Mika is shared by others.

I assume the 'silencing' of Mika Brzezinski , as you put it, is based on the complaints that MSNBC has received concering her unbelievable bias against Hillary Clinton and in favor of Barak Obama. Besides that, Mika is completely incompetent in the role of morning host on a TV talk show. Half the time she seems as confused as hell, to be perfectly blunt.

The incident that takes the cake though, was when she got tears in her eyes while reading a news report concerning the initial release of the Jeremiah Wright videos in mid-March. Her love for Obama and the hurt she felt for his campaign that day when all appeared so bleak for him was allowed , by her, to carry over into her 'reporting'. It was disgusting. In a fair world, she would be fired tommorrow for gross incompetence and showing bias unbecoming to a 'journalist'. She's lucky she works for MSNBC where that is unlikely to happen.

I cannot stand Mika Brzezinski (for the reasons JohnRussell mentions) and I am glad she's been silenced, as least as a part of the Morning Joe show. She seemed so lost and befuddled most of the time, staring into the camera with a deer-in-the-headlights look. I've noticed NBC is using her reporting in general now, and she files stories that appear on Nightly News with Brian Williams. She seems much better in this role, doing her own thing. I think part of the problem on Morning Joe is that she and Joe have personalities that blend about as well as oil and water.

Joe Scarborough has one of the biggest egos on TV. I used to catch him in the morning just to keep check but he has become so obnoxious I can no longer take him. Perhaps that is why the other two posters like him so much. It is fitting. He is such a waffler and panderer. When talking to Wolfson, he is all Hillary all the time. When talking to Axelrod, he backs down from the nonsense he is always saying about Obama--straight GOP talking points. I think he is Pat Buchanan's most serious understudy and with people like him on the TV the conservative republicans can sit back and enjoy.

Mika, has succumbed to the bully Joe. He has always treated her opinions as meaningless. I remember how demeaning he was to David Schuster and he has been the same way to Mika. Willie Geist has no cajones and after working with Tucker not too much can be expected from him.

SouthernDem, I don't see where some think Mika is biased towards Obama. I think Mika is more focused on drawing out points to discuss. Joe tends to start swinging far right and Mika challenges him to come back to center. I've watched her take both republican and democratic stances depending on the guests and if Joe is even on the show. She comes off as pretty moderate to me.

She's more focused on getting counter views than having a specific view.

What I do notice about MSNBC programming, is that they have a lot of talented women, non of which have their own show. Andrea Mitchell is far better than David Gregory. Mika is far better than Tucker ever was even when he had his bow tie and his own show.

Mika is a lovely lady and very smart. However she practically swoons over Obama and her ultra left wing bias is, well, tiring. Joe is no conservative as far as I can tell. He actually appears to me more liberal than McCain. I watch snipits of the show and of the Fox show opposite it. If the "fairness" doctrine is pushed through Congress by the dems how are MSNBC, NBC and now ABC with their admitted liberal bias going to react? Will we actually see a panel consisting of an equal number of conservatives and liberals? Yeah, and Santa is real. Obama is a bright guy, but what has he actually done? Why don't we see JC Watts, or Lynn Swann or any number of bright, informed conservative men of color on the networks more?

Brzezinski is a snarky bitch who can't shut the F up... endlessly yapping over the top of other guests, fighting for air time, saying inappropriate things at inappropriate times, acting like a spoiled teenager. GET RID OF HER for Crissake. She's a c..u..n..t.

I have enjoyed reading these comments. I find some of you to be too extreme in some ways though. Southern Dem is right about Mika being a disgrace, but not because she is in love with Obama (I like Obama and will vote him). She is a disgrace because while she is probably a very intelligent woman, she comes off on Morning Joe as a complete idiot and apparently only there to be eye candy. She is completely out-classed by the men on the show who actually have intelligent opinions and who do nearly all of the commentary. Mika hardly ever expresses an opinion. All she ever offers is either a question based on either of the parties talking points or a "hee hee" or "unh hunh" or some other chiming-in utterance of nothing in particular. Southern Dem is also right as well in saying that Joe and Pat are the only ones on the show that make it watchable---of course thats true! I don't see how anyone can deny it. THEY carry the conversation, along with their guests. Mika offers NOTHING! She just sits there like a Stepford wife giggling at inappropriate moments and trying her best to be part of the show.

As a liberal, I want someone on the show that presents intelligent liberal views. I was thinking Rachel Maddow would be a great replacement for Mika but I doubt Joe could handle being actually contradicted. Rachel would put Joe in his place and thats why it will never happen.

I do think though that Mika is not as stupid as she appears on Morning Joe. Someone stated she should go back to news reading. I agree. She is a very good news reader.

In re-reading the article above, I have to say that I am literally shocked by some of the analysis, especially the statement: "The strongest counterpoint of Scarborough's conservative view was Mika Brzezinski."

I have been watching the show, for about a year and a half. I have NEVER found Mika to EVER offer any worthwhile comments. As a liberal, and upon hearing (probably from Scarbourough) that she is a liberal, I waited and waited for her to say anything that would sound like standing up for an opinion or a belief but it never came. I saw the UTube of her ranting about doing a Paris Hilton story (or was it Brittney Spears?). I honestly thought that it was a made up little drama to try and punch up her image. I was suprised at some of the comments about what a hero she is for that. What's heroic about a media person NOT doing a report on someone so pathetic as Paris Hilton or Britney Spears??? NOTHING! Its like calling me a hero because I didn't rob a bank!

I think the writer must either be related to Mika or she must have a crush on her. There was NEVER any balance to the Morning Joe show. Joe Sarborough is a steam engine and Mika is like a little wind up mouse. "Astute point of view"??? You have got to be joking!!!

How can MSNBC allow Mika to go on the air everyday with Joe and act like she does? I like Joe alot, but she has made the show unwatchable. She is so desperate to be included in any conversation that she is constantly interupting and making gestures and noises. She brings NOTHING to the table and the show would not miss her for 1 second if you was gone. Clearly, no one cares what she has to say on the show. She is so that person we all know that feels left out and so wants to be a part of the group. Just sit there please and don't speak if you have to be on the show. It really is some of the most brutal TV to watch with her....Anyone that isnt annoyed by her immediately just doesn't get it......

How about giving Mika Brzezinski a break?
Being the daughter of a highly accomplished figure like her father Zbigniew Brzezinski, it is hard to grow up in an environment where you feel the pressure of people expecting you to measure up. This can create a ton of insecurity and vulnerability that can be translated in the so broadly criticized Mikas behavior.
Maybe if everyone would stop pointing fingers at her and just let her be, she would finally get the chance to show what she is capable of.
Take it from a daughter of a great politician who never went into politics to avoid the kind of trap Mika is stuck in. And should you be too out of touch with this kind of familiar/social situation to get it, at least show some empathy.

I hate Mika, I quite watching Morning Joe when she started rubbing herself against that chubby son of Tim Russert's, that was SICKENING!! She is a NEWS READER who for some reason, has been elevated to a commentator by MSNBC, but then, when I see the quality of their commentators of late, I guess she fits in well with whatever MSNBC is trying to show the world, of course, they are last in the ratings, so, the world isn't buying it. All of their commentators are biased towards Obama, which is another reason I don't tune into MSNBC, at least people like Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs come out and tell you they are conservative or independant, and do NOT have family members working for the Obama campaign, I think MSNBC has been remiss not to continually state that her comments are biased due to family connections.
I find her just obnoxious, her constant interruptions of no substance, and the way she continually checks herself out in the TV monitor--LOL--that is too funny, what a vain, incompetant news woman she is. Between her and Contessa Brewer, I am not sure who is the dumbest and the worst "news" reader.

I cannot believe anyone finds Mika Brzezinski to be anything but an annoying, narcissistic bimbo. She interrupts every guest, she comes on to any and every male, her "commentary" consists of bizarre noises and snorting and giggling and talking to herself, and she still, after all this time, has not figured out that the monitor is not a mirror -- hey, Mika, we can see you when you mug lovingly into the camera, licking your lips and sucking your teeth and admiring yourself!

Also, why can't she stop playing with her cell phone and texting people and taking calls and interrupting serious commentary with "oopsiies, it's my kids!", accompanied by the usual gigglegigglegiggle and coy come-on mugging into the camera? What is up with that? Are there NO producers at MSNBC anymore? Will no one tell her that her behavior makes her look mentally ill? The show has become completely unwatchable at this point, and they're losing more and more good guests because of the Mika factor.

Honestly, Mika is just not a strong voice.  She has certain "instincts" about issues and stories, but she can't articulate her viewpoints, nor can she offer factual, historical information to back up her points of view.  Joe (although I am not a Republican, trust me) has very strong knowledge of political history and can back up his views and add information.  (He is quite weak, by his own admission, on the economics).  The guests are fantastic.  The format of the show is great.  I am glad I found the show - I could not bear to hear about one more "eating contest" (on my previous morning show).  I just read some of the above comments and I agree very much with Nora and others.  I'm really quite shocked that some producer doesn't sit her down and straighten her out.  I really enjoy the casual banter at 6 in the morning and then there is Mika in the background saying "aaaaaaaahhhh can we get to the news, blah blah blah".

Meeka as intelligent as I think you are I'm baffled as to why you keep making comments about Sarah Palin and even suggesting that she should again run for president in 2012 huh! I more brains in my baby finger which suggest I do have a brain and I'm not qualified why don't we just go pull anyone off the street and tell them to run because it seems to me and many that you and Morning Clutch Cargo would be fine having her as vice president never mind that McCain is old like mold and has a serious illness which could leave the American people in the hands of a brainless idiot Meeka most of us out here watching you are trying to figure where your heads are?  Sarah Palin is where she needs to be in that Wasillas AK or whatever and the people there need to be worried she should be impeached you know just because your in a beauty contest and learn to walk and wink and say what some of you think is cute is not the part of a resume that gets the job or should not be.  Obama finished at the top of his class Harvard that is he demonstrated his abilities to be where he is.  Maybe you Meeka and Joe need to go and have a lobotomy

first off, mika has the role of news journalist to scarborough's political anaylist. they play off each other through mild disagreements and sexual tension.  she is NOT unintelligent and does add a counter to the hosts talking points. she is not a political professional but that was never her role. i find her likable as well as competant. anyone who thinks that her presence interferes with the booking of guests needs to begin a regemin of psychotic medications. she brings a touch of levity as well as beauty to a show otherwise filled with men discussing political issues.  i actually prefer the shows when scarborough has the day off since i find his views to be bothersome.  the mood of the country has shifted and no longer wants to hear much of conservative voices.  i say dress mika in skimpier outfits and get rid of scarborough completely!  thats change i can believe in.

(A) Perhaps you should think about using the spell checker before posting your comments.

(B) Your attempt at humor cloaked in sexism is boorish and absurd.

(C) Mika does not have a journalism degree, she majored in English at Williams College after transferring there from Georgetown as a junior, for reasons unknown. As is the custom today, you do not need a journalism degree to be a journalist. If you are rich and well connected like Anderson Cooper, or if you are narcissistic and have a natural talent for mugging for the camera like Mika, it doesn't matter if you have a degree in Bowling Alley Technology, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and FOX will seriously consider anyone for work as a news journalist. The bar cannot be raised, it can only be lowered.

Mika's personality on Morning Joe is loud and obnoxious. All of her comments are laughable and ignorant. I try to watch Morning Joe because MSNBC is my favorite news station (since its obviously to the left) But seeing her facial expressions or listening to her weak arguments actually disgusts me, there's only so much I can handle. I'd rather watch CNN with Robin Meade, she's better Eye Candy.

I cannot stand Mika. She is is needy. She talks too much and no one can ever get a word in edge-wise. She needs to stay at home and take care of her children because she is not quite adept at being on the morning show. She shuts people "shh! - so inappropriate. She never lets anyone finish his or her sentence because she is so anxious to have her say, which is crap. When someone is making an important point she wants to cut them off to read the news. The show can dispense with her showing the newspaper because I cannot see what she is holding up anyway. I like Joe because he is knowledgeable and funny that early in the morning. If she remains on the show I will find another station to watch.

I saw Mika this morning.  Joe is out of town.  Everything have written about her is true.  She needs to be used elsewhere in MSNBC.

I love Rachel Maddow - she is a pleasure to watch and listen to.

I haven't watched the show for a week because Joe has been gone and I just can't take Mika anymore and their line up of regulars has become so boring. Not one of them has any charisma that makes you want to hang around to hear the mostly really good guests they have on. If Joe and Pat Buchanon don't come back soon I will find another morning program to watch.

LETS face it no one wants her except msnbc they gave her the job because of her father.she is a joke like that other slut katie couric.both are blow j--s

Why is it that MSNBC tolerates the overbearing loudmouthed shouting of the buffon Scarborough? I may not always agree with Brezinzski but she is interesting and informed. Scarborough is a right wing nutcake and he has been especially obnoxious on the stimulus, about which he understands nothing. Grow up, MSNBC. Scarborough is a lout, and cable news is not a boys' gym.

Mika does look at the camera far too much = I notice Joe and guests look at one another and not at themselves all the time. She is always so "cute" toward Obama and the left - calling Robert Gibbs "Gibby"!!! We certainly never heard or saw her be so affectionate toward anyone leaning to the right of center. I also notice her obvious distain toward anyone who has criticism toward the media of any form and their "out of the closet" love of liberals and Obama. Unfortunately, she doesn't add too much substance to the conversation because of her continual use of "high brow" analysis such as "need for more conversation or dialog, etc. etc. etc. No "meat" seems to be contributed by her, just fancy words. Unfortunately for her, she has never existed in the real world - that which is beyond the liberal northeast.

Due to the obvious decision by management of MSNBC to make that network a liberal channel, Morning Joe is the only show I have had an interest in watching even though it often displays a lack of balance in their guest line-up. I have to laugh when I hear them make negative comments about FOX network!! Pot calling??? I do get excited when they, once in a while, have a guest who "thinks vs feels" about important issues of the day. Mika is not a "child of the 60's" but might as well be because most of what I hear her say is not said with the intellect - it is said with her liberal values and self-righteousness. I can't wait for that generation to either retire or go on to liberal heaven.

Great post. I have had to stop watching Morning Joe as it is too much. I have compared it to Wendy and the Lost Boys, with the Lost Boys being too loud.

I have a debate going on in the link above, would love you have you join.